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Making magic happen at the Princess Theatre
As the Princess Theatre in Hunstanton’s traditional pantomime is about to start its run, we talk to two people who play a big role in making it happen – one on the stage and one behind the scenes...
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ervyn Francis is appearing in Dick Whittington as the dame, Mrs Fitzwarren.
KL Magazine: This isn’t the first time you’ve played the dame is it?
Mervyn Francis: No, I’m returning to the Princess Theatre for my second year as dame. I’ve made my name as a villain in the past – only on stage of course! This is my fourth season at the Princess. The first year I was the villain Abanazer in Aladdin, then I returned playing Baron Hardup in Cinderella.
KL Magazine: But you’ve been appearing in pantomime a lot longer than that, we hear? Mervyn Francis: I’m actually 100
celebrating half a century in showbiz this year, and I’m pretty sure this will be my 50th Christmas panto!
KL Magazine: What draws you to pantomime?
Mervyn Francis: Basically it’s what the children get out of it, to see the kids so involved. This year’s panto is a new production of Dick Whittington written and directed by Tom Ralph, and it’s been designed especially for the Princess Theatre to be very interactive and really involve the children. Although we keep it traditional we try to move with the times by including modern songs, that’s always a must. It's good clean family entertainment with no bad language – so you can bring your granny or the kids without any worry. We try and make it as uplifting an experience as possible, with seasonal content so it becomes part of the local
seasonal build up. All the traditional elements of “he’s behind you” and shouting at the villain are there: it’s great fun.
KL Magazine: Do you prefer playing a goodie or a baddie? Mervyn Francis: I enjoy them both
equally. I get as much satisfaction out of both characters really. I do think a dame should be of a certain age, though – I’ve seen young chaps do it and it doesn’t quite come over in the same way as an older person playing a dame. It’s all to do with the features I think – when you have a rubber face you can do lots of expressions and lots of gurning!
Kl Magazine: What makes the Princess Theatre so special?
Mervyn Francis: It’s a wonderful little KLmagazine December 2019